Rhumi 1 is India’s first reusable mobile hybrid rocket developed by a Chennai-based startup, Space Zone India, headquartered in Chennai under the leadership of Chairman K Megalingam in collaboration with Martin Group. Weighing about 80 kg and 3.5 meters in height, it’s a significant milestone in India’s space technology sector.
It was successfully launched by a mobile launcher from Thiruvidandhai, a coastal village near Chennai, Tamil Nadu on Saturday, August 24 as reported by Business Today. This mobile launch technology makes Rhumi-1 unique as it offers flexibility in launch locations.
Rhumi-1 is classified as a sounding rocket. During its first launch, it achieved a height of 35 kilometres and returned to Earth within a few seconds after carrying out multiple experiments. The rocket carried 3 CubeSats and 50 picosatellites in the suborbital trajectory. These satellites will carry out research and observations mainly focused on global warming and climate change.
The Rhumi-1 rocket is itself a piece of high-end aerospace technology. The rocket combines both the liquid oxidiser and solid fuel propulsion system. For comparison the most powerful rocket on Earth ‘SpaceX Starship’ uses Liquid oxygen and methane as propellent. Rhumi-1 rocket is also equipped with a mobile launch system, enabling it to be easily launched from anywhere.
The company Space Zone India, founded by Anand Megalingam, has the initiative of reducing the financial burden of space exploration and designing reusable rockets to make rocket launches environmentally friendly. It also aims to spread awareness about rocket science among the students.
The startup is only the second in the world after Elon Musk’s SpaceX to demonstrate a reusable launch vehicle, pointing towards India’s strong future in space exploration. However, Rhumi-1 is of no comparison to SpaceX’s Falcon 9, but Rhumi-1 represents the beginning of the development of reusable launch vehicles in India.
